Meetings.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1007, 5 August 1881, Page 2

Meetings.

THE DUNSTAN ELECTORATE.

A meeting of an important character was held in the Library, Clyde, on Monday morning last, to take Into consideration the contents of a telegraphic despatch sent to Mr Facho by Mr V. Fyke, M.H.R., in which it was stated that the Government intended to disfranchise the Dunstan electorate by splitting it np into three parts and dividing it between Wakatipu, Mount Ida, and Waikaia. After a few preliminaries had been settled, it was decided that a public meeting should bo called for that evening (Monday), to have the opinions of the electors on the subject. At the evening meeting there was a large number of electors present. Amongst others we noticed—Messrs Naylor (in the chair), Holt, Little, Dunn, Tyrrell, Bell, Cambridge, McConnochie, Clark, and Maogeorge.

Mr Naylor read the telegram to the meeting, adding that it had been thought advisable to call them together without any delay, as the Re-distribution of Seats Bill would be placed on the table of the House very shortly. He went on to say that if the district were disfranchised they would be irretrievably ruined, and unrepresented in Parliament. Tho Government’s intended move would not injure Mr Pyke, but it would the electors. He could, supposing that the Bill were passed, woo the favors of another electorate, but they would bo unable to do anything to better their condition. They would have to act at once, or they would regret tho disastrous consequences that would ensue if the Bill became law. He suggested that a committee should be appointed to draw up a memorial to Government on the point at issue, Mr Little proposed that Messrs Naylor, Holt, Macgeorge, and McConuoebio should constitute the committee.

Mr McConnochie (who entered the room at this stage) declined the proffered honor. He was unaware of the object of the meeting. Mr Naylor explained the matter to Mr McConnochie, who then consented to be on the committee.

Mr Cambridge thought Messrs Faohe and Wilson should he members of it: they both had large interests in tho district Mr Little had no objection to his motion being altered so as to meet with Mr Cambridge’s views. Tho motion was then amended, seconded, pnt to the meeting, and carried without a dissentient voice.

Mr Holt said, in reference to the petition, it would be requisite to have it taken round for signature at once. Mr Macgeorgo asked if it would be necessary to canvass outside the district. Mr Naylor thought there would not bo time to do so.

Mr Macgeorge remarked that as tho Bill was not before the House there was no great need for hurrying over tho matter. Mr Naylor begged to differ. They didn’t know definitely when tho Bill would be tabled, and in that case there was every reason why they should have tho matter settled. Mr Holt asked how it was intended to obtain the signatures. Mr Naylor hazarded tho opinion that it would be best to employ a man to canvass tho district.

Eventually it was decided to do this, and the boundaries of the district within the jurisdiction of the Clyde committee 1 1 he as follow Chatto Creek on the E, Muttontown on the 8., and the Fraser River on the W. After a little routine business had been transacted, the meeting adjourned. Afterwards, it was decided to send a memorial by telegram, which was done. Cory op the Memorial Telegraphed. To the Honorable the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. On behalf of the Dunstan electors wo protest against the absorption of the Dunstan into the adjoining districts, for the following reasons 1. The geographical conformation of the country is against it. 2. The climatic conditions of the present district being the same, the division avouUl destroy the unity of interests. 3. It would prevent the growtli of the county feeling, which is already strong. 4. Electoral districts, when praciicable, should bo same as the county boundary. 5. There is every element of a larger growth of population shortly. 0. The interests of the surrounding districts are alien to ours. 7. To divide the Dustan District would cause local feuds, and place each section of the population in inevitable minorities. S. The neglect of the Government to open up more land is the sole cause of stationary population. 9. We hope that Government will see the justice of tho reasons stated, and take the same into their favorable consideration. Benjamin Naylor, Chairman of Public Meeting.